Libya’s Haftar Launches Offensive on Oil Terminals

Troops commanded by Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Tuesday to seize two of the country’s key eastern oil terminals, a spokesman said.

“Ground, sea and air forces launched joint attacks to liberate Ras Lanuf from terrorist groups,” Khalifa al-Abidi said after orders were issued early Tuesday for the offensive, which is also targeting the nearby Al-Sidra oil terminal.

Both sites were seized by a rival, extremist-led force earlier this month.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and a share of the country’s vast oil wealth.

In September, pro-Haftar forces captured Ras Lanuf, Al-Sidra and two other eastern oil ports in a blow to the authority of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli.

Haftar backs a rival administration in the country’s far east that has refused to cede power to the Government of National Accord (GNA) since it started working last year.

The UN-supported GNA has struggled to assert control since its installation in the capital a year ago.

The GNA has denied having any connection to the takeover of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra.